John Joseph Kelly was born on 24 June 1898 in Chicago, Illinois. In May 1917 He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps from that state and participated in combat in France as a member of the Seventy-Eighth Company, Sixth Regiment, Second Division. On 3 October 1918, during the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge, Kelly ran through the artillery barrage, advanced 100 yards forward of the front line, and attacked an enemy machine-gun nest, killing the gunner and one other crew member. He then returned through the barrage with eight prisoners. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on this occasion, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army. On 15 March 1919, General John J. Pershing, USA, Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Force, presented the award to Kelly in Coblenz, Germany. Returning to the United States, he was honorably discharged in August 1919 at the Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia. John J. Kelly died on 20 November 1957 and is buried at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois.
This page features all the images we have concerning John J. Kelly.
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Photo #: 127-G-515598 Private John Joseph Kelly, USMC Wearing the French Croix de Guerre medal, with Palm, at an awards presentation ceremony, during or shortly after World War I. For "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty" on 3 October 1918, during combat action against a German machine-gun nest at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, Private Kelly was awarded both U.S. Army and U.S. Navy Medals of Honor. U.S. Marine Corps Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 74KB; 590 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 82738 Private John J. Kelly, USMC Portrait painting showing him with medals and full dress uniform. Kelly was awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" during the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge, France on 3 October 1918. Note: The Army Medal of Honor is on the left in the top row of medals. Immediately to the right is the Navy Medal of Honor, in the "Tiffany Cross" pattern. Courtesy of Edward F. Murphy, 1974. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 71KB; 580 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: SC 156409 Private John J. Kelly, USMC Receives the Medal of Honor from General John J. Pershing, U.S. Army, in a ceremony at Coblenz, Rhenish Prussia, Germany on 15 March 1919. Major General Joseph T. Dickman, U.S. Army, Commanding General of Third Army, is watching from his position next to Private Kelly. Kelly was awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" in action at Blanc Mont Ridge, France on 3 October 1918. Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 70KB; 740 x 605 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 82739-A Private John A. Kelly, USMC (second from right) Pictured with fellow Medal of Honor recipient Private Berger Loman, U.S. Army, who is second from left, marked with an "X". This image is cropped from Photo # NH 82739, taken when approximately 35 Medal of Honor holders gathered in Washington, D.C., circa 1920-1921. Courtesy of Edward F. Murphy, 1974. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 64KB; 465 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 82739 Medal of Honor Recipients Panoramic photograph, taken when approximately 35 Medal of Honor recipients gathered in Washington, D.C., circa 1920-1921. They are posed with several senior officers and Government officials. Among those present are: Courtesy of Edward F. Murphy, 1974. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 88KB; 1200 x 250 pixels |
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If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 4 December 2007
New images added 11 June 2008